What was supposed to be a peaceful swim at Lower Calf Creek Falls in Utah turned into a nightmare when huge rocks suddenly fell from above, barely missing tourists. It occurred on June 24 and was recorded in various videos that soon became viral on social media, showing just how close individuals were to serious injury.
Video footage posted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah captured vacationers having fun in the water mere seconds before a huge chunk of rock detached from the cliff, crashing into the pool mere feet away. Luckily, nobody was injured, although park authorities have since cautioned visitors to be careful when visiting the site.
NBC News posted the dramatic video on Instagram with the caption: “Swimmers narrowly missed being hit by large boulders falling in Utah.” The clip has since amassed over 632,000 views. One user commented, “Literally the luckiest people I’ve seen in a very long time,” while another remarked, “Wow… that must’ve been horrifying to watch as this person was recording. Thank God they are okay!”
Watch:
View this post on Instagram
Park Officials Warn of Danger
Park officials described how the unusual shape of the cliff overhang enables rocks to fall far from the base of the cliff, threatening both swimmers and individuals onshore. According to Fox Weather, officials emphasized that safety is of the utmost concern.
This is not a backyard pool, but a remote and natural location,” said Ade Nelson, National Monument Manager. “Outdoor recreation can be naturally unpredictable. Lower Calf Creek Falls is a world-renowned location, and we want to ensure that all visitors comprehend the risks associated with it.
The BLM also noted that a year ago, a visitor was hit by a falling rock and had to be airlifted for emergency treatment. There have been safety assessments ever since, authorities trying to figure out how to best safeguard future visitors.
